Choice Hotels has launched “Choice Direct Pay,” a system that lets employers make reservations and pay lodging bills for employees traveling on business.
The new system eliminates the need for employees to submit, and employers to process, a payment invoice for each overnight stay, according to a Monday (Aug. 15) press release.
In addition to letting companies pay directly, the release stated the new system consolidates travel invoices into weekly, rather than daily, statements; manages invoice data through dedicated portals; adds company-specific codes to invoicing; works with centralized customer support rather than staff at individual hotels.
The system preserves chain-wide discount rates through the use of an ID system and let guests adjust dates of stays as needed, according to the release.
Choice Direct Pay will operate through more than 5,000 domestic properties, the release stated.
“Fundamental to this approach is equipping travel managers with the tools and resources they need to better serve these corporate clients,” Chad Fletcher, vice president of global sales at Choice Hotels, said in the release. “Choice Direct Pay streamlines what has traditionally been an onerous process across the industry, further underscoring Choice’s commitment to building on its leading value proposition for guests and corporate customers alike.”
Choice Hotels has 7,500 franchise hotels, including 650,000 rooms in 35 countries and territories, according to the release.
In another instance of a company offering business travelers more options, United Airlines last week announced it would give business flyers access to flexible programs designed to let them choose benefits such as access to Wi-Fi or roomier seats. The program is called United for Business Blueprint.
Read more: United Airlines to Launch New Platforms for Corporate Customers
Corporate customers will be able to customize their business travel program contracts. The program is set to launch later this year.
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